Former South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has been convicted and sentenced to life in prison for a failed coup attempt, which included declaring a state of emergency. The court found him guilty of insurrection and unconstitutional activities based on his decision to impose emergency powers in December 2024 after his party lost a majority in the National Assembly. The attempted coup was short-lived, lasting only six hours, as the National Assembly quickly overturned the emergency declaration amid widespread public protests.

The ruling has sparked significant controversy, with Yoon’s defense team claiming that the verdict was predetermined and lacked substantial evidence. Yoon could have faced the death penalty for his actions, but given that South Korea has not carried out executions since 1997, the life sentence effectively prevents any further capital punishment. This case highlights tensions within South Korean politics, particularly regarding the balance of power and public dissent against government actions.

Yoon, who was elected president in 2022, declared the state of emergency in an attempt to "combat anti-state forces" following his party's losses in the National Assembly elections. The legal and political ramifications of this coup attempt and subsequent ruling may have lasting effects on South Korea’s governance and political landscape, including potential challenges to the legitimacy of future administrations based on public opinion and legislative support.